Rugby Cranes start road from perdition

KAMPALA. The Rugby Cranes start shaking off their rust today with a trial game against local Bamburi Rugby Super Series (BRSS) franchise Victoria.The rubber against Victoria at Kyadondo Rugby Football Club (KYRFC) has been tabled to test their match fitness as they have not been involved in a competitive game since the league climaxed in February.

“It’s a game meant to also assess their progress of the guys as they have been training for a long time,” said Rugby Cranes coach Peter Magona. The national 15s side has been undertaking drills for the last two of months at KYRFC.

The ruggers have their work cut out with a busy international calendar to negotiate. First on their schedule is the Confederation of Rugby (CAR) tier 1B tournament in Tunisia from June 10th -14th and then the Elgon Cup against the Kenya Lions.

With the exclusion of new additions, eighth man Eric Butime (G4S Pirates captain), prop Eber Aturinde (DMark Kobs) and wing Solomon Okia (Toyota Buffaloes), who took part in the first-ever Protector Rugby Super Series (PRSS) and BRSS, the rest of the squad will savour the chance to have a run-out in the middle.

The stars were mere spectators during the PRSS and BRSS as Uganda Rugby Union prohibited them from competing as players of little-known quality and veterans were given a chance to bask in the limelight.Now Magona is intent on ensuring his troops get to couple up their training sessions with match practice.

“I hope we can get more trial games to boost our preparations,” said the former Rugby Cranes skipper.

Robert Seguya-coached Victoria are already out of contention in the BRSS after losing their first group clashes to Kenyan outfits Chui and Ndovu whereas Allan Musoke’s Rwenzori face Kenya’s Kifaru on May 17 in Nakuru in a must-win encounter.